Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: August | Volume: 6 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 44-48
Prevalence of Depression among Caretakers of Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Rameshwar S Manhas1, Gaurav S Manhas2, Angli Manhas3, Jagdish R Thappa4, Mohammad M Dar5, Rukhsana Akhter6
1Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Jammu, J&K, India.
2Resident Scholar, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Government Medical College Jammu, J&K, India.
3Senior Resident, Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College Jammu, J&K, India.
4Prof & HOD, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Jammu, J&K, India.
5Prof & HOD, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India,
6MA in Psychology, Intern, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Jammu, J&K, India.
Corresponding Author: Gaurav S Manhas
ABSTRACT
Background: The onset of bipolar disorder presents potentially lifelong challenges of caretaking for the caretakers. For years caretakers may provide extended support and care to their patients which may be associated with increased challenges resulting from debilitating symptoms which produces obstacles to independent living and occupational and social functioning.
Aims: To study prevalence of depression among caretakers of patients with bipolar disorder.
Materials & Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among the caretakers of patients with bipolar disorder who were receiving services at outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Jammu, J&K. After getting clearance from the institutional ethical committee, 130 caretakers of bipolar patients were selected for the study and later on were assessed by using HAM-D scale.
Results: The prevalence of depression among the caretakers of patients suffering from bipolar disorder was 73.8%. As compared to their counterparts, the prevalence of depression was higher in caretakers who were below 25 years of age (80%), females (80.8%), living in rural areas (80.8%), students/agricultural workers (100%), living in nuclear families (77.8%), uneducated caretakers (75.3%) and in parents (83.1%).
Conclusion: From present study we conclude that there is high prevalence of depression among the caretakers of bipolar patients which may affect their caretaking abilities. Hence in addition to the recovery of the patients, mental health professionals should also pay special attention to the needs of the caretakers which range from providing information about the disease to proper screening and adequate treatment if needed.
Key words: Caretaker, Depression, Prevalence
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